Stephen A. Smith says Kyrie Irving is worth $50 million a year, but highlights trust issues after Dallas Mavericks trade
Kyrie Irving's tumultuous tenure with the Brooklyn Nets came to an end as the star point guard was traded to the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday. NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith weighed in on the trade, saying he can't trust the eight-time All-Star.
The Nets are trading Kyrie Irving to the Mavericks, source tells ESPN.
Speaking on his podcast, K[NO]W MERCY, Smith stated:
"Every single d**n thing I said about Kyrie Irving, I meant it. He's a superstar basketball player. He's a sensational talent. He is box office. He is worth $50 million a year. Easy! I would just pay him one year at a time."
He added:
"I ain't giving that brother no long-term deal 'cause I can't trust him. I'm not doing that, and it ain't because he's some bad guy. Kyrie is not a malicious person. He doesn't mean to hurt and to harm people. He just believes he's more knowledgable than everybody else."
Smith has been critical of Irving in the past due to his off-court issues. Irving's tenure in Brooklyn, which lasted less than four years, will be remembered more for those issues than the success of the team.
Irving played in just 143 games as he missed time due to injuries, his decision not to take the COVID-19 vaccine, and a suspension for sharing a controversial documentary. Irving and co-star Kevin Durant shared the court for just 74 games.
Watch Stephen A. Smith's comments on Kyrie Irving below:
Kyrie Irving is a guy who believes it is a privilege for you, to watch him play, rather than it being a privilege, he possesses to have the skills that he has to put on display for us to watch.
Watch more on this topic in today's episode - the link is in the bio. https://t.co/dQRi7KjrtH
LeBron James disappointed that Kyrie Irving did not land with the LA Lakers
The LA Lakers were among the teams pursuing Kyrie Irving and were reportedly his top choice. Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai, however, made it his objective to send the star point guard elsewhere as he did not want to appease Irving. LeBron James shared that he was disappointed that his former teammate did not wind up with the Lakers.
Nets owner Joe Tsai's objective was to not send Kyrie to the Lakers, per @TheSteinLine https://t.co/VXjbaAcjuZ
Speaking to ESPN's Michael Wilbon, the LA Lakers star shared his disappointment, stating:
"I can't sit here and say I'm not disappointed on not being able to land such a talented player - someone that I had great chemistry with and know I got great chemistry with on the floor that can help you win championships."
James shared that his focus has quickly pivoted back to the task at hand of attempting to win games. He noted that while he envisions possibilities of what can happen when rumors occur, he does not become fully invested in such rumors.
Watch LeBron James share his disappointment that Kyrie Irving did not end up with the LA Lakers below:
LeBron says he’s disappointed the Lakers didn’t land Kyrie Irving
(Via ESPN) https://t.co/MloB313tH1